Quote:
Originally Posted by glenc
The BCM list has 66 OC, 48 GC, 35 Neb, 30 PN and 120 Gxy.
I would like to see less OC and more Neb and PN.
e.g. 50 OC, 50 GC, 50 Neb, 50 PN and 100 Gxy.
A sample is attached. I made this list in 2005. The best objects are those in list A.
Month OND is Oct, Nov, Dec, far N is north of dec +45.
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Another useful listing, too!
The GC catalogue, anyone????
Just one minor comment. I think open star clusters are mostly given because they are usually (for the best ones) bright and easy to see in the telescope — even in city or in partial urban skies. Galaxies have the problem of being mostly seen in dark skies, and mostly exterminated under moderate sky illumination.
My own belief is that any lists of "best" objects, and objects in some "best list" has to be more scientific. (not necessary astronomical objects either. I.e. selections of product via marketing techniques) It has to be done based on weighting selected parameters, and ordering them by criteria. An example is by brightness, size, appearance and context, etc. Those with the highest total combined weighted scores, are then organised and rated from best to worst in the list.
By selecting only one basic criteria, or solitary combinations like surface brightness (magnitude/area), only ends up to tends to favour biased options rather than the more elusive subjective terms like "attractiveness" or "easy in observing" or "easy in finding", etc.
IMO the brightness of an object, say just by "magnitude", has a very arbitrary meanings, because the nature of different types of celestial objects I.e In stellar-like object versus non-stellar objects imply different things. Here basic differences between cluster and galaxy magnitudes convey different ideas of "best" or "easiest" objects to recommend.
I think that techniques like adding
weights against various parameters of selected objects is far more useful than cherry picking based on constellation or 'x' number of specific objects.
Anyway, it doesn't detract from your listing here, Glen. It looks a good one.
